Mercedes takes the iPhone seriously
By Dusan Belic on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 4:25 AM PST In Accessories, iPhone
Mercedes-Benz introduced a new iPhone integration kit, allowing Mercedes car owners to access key iPhone functions hassle-free, while driving.
As long as the iPhone is in the cradle, iPod controls are completely integrated with the main nav screen and COMAND controller. At the same time, the cradle is charging the iPhone and is providing you with a better reception, using the vehicle’s antennas. In addition, you will be able to access your contacts on main nav screen…
Current iPod kit/Media Interface kit owners will be able to upgrade by getting additional adapters which costs 39 EUR ($60). The cradle itself is available for 249 EUR ($385) in Germany. Supported vehicles include Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, S-Class, CL-Class, SL-Class, M-Class and R-Class.
[Via: Engadget Mobile]
I found hi-res photos and in-depth info on the iPhone at Mercedes’ website.
http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jun08/19_001204_Mercedes_Benz_Hearts_The_iPod_New_Cradle_Allows_Further_Integration_Into_The_Vehicle_Architecture.html
If you look closely at the hi-res photo, it looks like it is an unlocked iphone.
What a lame thing to do!
Sounds brilliant except it’s not true. I have an 07 Mercedes CLS with a Comand interface. My old 1st generation iPhone worked great via the iPod lead and Bluetooth module. The new 3G phone doesn’t charge via the iPod lead due to the loss of Firewire capability and the phone book won’t load names (only numbers) via the Bluetooth module. I therefore tried the new iPhone cradle. After much messing around the parts chap at the garage gave up as the phone works fine but there was no access whatsoever to music via the cradle. I think therefore there is either a)a complete lack of training at MB dealerships, b)some rather exaggerated selling of the capability of the new cradle or c) some serious software upgrades needed. Basically the iPhone 3G has been mis-sold as being even better than the old iPhone when in fact for some like me it’s a giant step backwards. I’m told BMW drivers are similarly affected although I’ve no first hand experience of this. Buyer beware!!